Brick processing machine



April 4, 1950 L. GELBMAN 2,502,940

BRICK PROCESSING uAcHInE Filed nay 1, 194s 4 sheets-sheet 1 INVENToR. LOU/S GELBAMN MMM 'AroRA/Er April 4, 1950 L. GELBMAN BRICK PROCESSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May` 1, 1948 INVENTOR. 'LOU/S GELBMAN ATTORNEY April 4, 1950 L. GELBMAN BRICK PROCESSING HACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 1, 1948 INVENTOR. LU/S` GELBMAN April 4, 1950 L. GELBMAN BRICK PROCESSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Shea?l 4 Filed May 1, 1948 NNE IN V EN TOR LOU/S` GELBM4N A TTORNEV la :Sov

4Patented Apr. 4,' 1950 2,502,940 Baron raocsssmc MACHINE 'Louis Gelbman, Yonkers, N. Y., assignor to Gelbman, Inc., Yonkers, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 1, 194,8, Serial No. 24,611

17 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in brick or block processing machines. More specifically, the invention relates to steam kilns for curing concrete or other kinds of bricks or blocks. Heretofore concrete bricks and blocks, 5

or other types of bricks and blocks, 'have been cured in steam kilns. However, the operation of the kilns and the loading and unloading of the kilns was accomplished with apparatus requiring manual control and operation. The dominatl0 ing object of this invention is to construct a kiln brick or block processing machine which `will automatically till the kilns thereof with bricks or blocks and will automatically remove processed bricks or blocks from the kilns thereof and will set the kilns thereof into and out of operation, as required. 'I'here will be no necessity for any manual operation from the moment that the bricks or blocks leave the brick or block making machine or device, to the moment they are discharged in cured condition from the kilns of the machine.

It is proposed that a plurality of kilns be used in the brick processing machine and that the automatic mechanism be so arranged that while one kiln is being illled and emptied, the bricks or blocks are being cured in the other kilns thereof.

[t is proposed that the capacity of the kilns be so calculated that upon the filling and emptying of the entire set of kilns, the bricks or blocks of the first iilled kiln will be cured when the last kiln is being filled or relled. With this arrangement the brick processing machine may be placed in continuous operation, with the brick or block machine manufacturing the brick or block at its 3:,

normal rate and the cured bricks or blocks being discharged from the brick processing machine at the same rate they are being produced.

In order to cure the bricks or blocks in a.

minimum of time so as toy make it feasible to 49 have a continuously operating brick processing machine, handling all the bricks or blocks produced, high pressure steam is used in the kilns. It is calculated that 150 pounds of steam pressure per square inch would be satisfactory in 45 accordance with this invention. Because of this high steam pressure it is essential that the kilns be constructed and operated in a fool prooi' manner. Particularly it is proposed to make it impossible for the doors of the kilns to be openeds 50 while there is an internal steam pressure high enough to be dangerous. Obviously, if the doors were opened while the kilns contained 150 lbs. of steam pressure. or even less steam pressure, persons in the vicinity would be scalded.

An important object of this invention is to so arrange the doors of each of the kilns that they open inwards, that is, into the kilns. It is proposed that in their closedpositions the steam pressure tends to hold them closed. It is also proposed to provide door opening mechanism which is relatively weak and incapable of opening the doors against the steam pressure unless the steam pressure is down substantially to atmospheric pressure.

It is proposed that each of the kilns be provided with a plurality of superimposed racks extending through from the front end to the back end thereof and arranged in such a way that the doors may open inwards without being obstructed by the racks.

An important object of this invention is to provide an elevator for each of the ends of the kilns for self alignment with the racks of the kilns during a illling or refilling cycle and to so arrange the elevators as to have extendable and retractable tracks for extending into the ends of the kilns to connect with the racks and to be retractable so that the elevators may pass the kilns.

' in superimposed horizontal positions. With this arrangement it isfv possible for the elevators to move upwards and downwards along the ends of the kilns so that the extendable and retractable tracks may engage into the ends of the kilns for the reasons already pointed out above.

Another object of this invention is to provide .the kilns with valve controlled supply pipe lines for the processing substances, the steam, connecting with each of the kilns. It is also proposed to provide a valve controlled exhaust pipe line for the processing substances, the steam, connecting with each of the kilns for exhausting the'steam.

Another object of this invention is to automatically control said valve controlled pipe lines to feed the steam to the kilns and to exhaust the steam from the kilns correctly during the operating cycle of theY brick processing machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for continuously supplying the elevator at the front of the kilns with a continuous supply of pallets with bricks and to provide means for removing the pallets with bricks from and as soon as they-are deposited on the elevator at the back of the kilns.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for moving the pallets withv bricks as they'are supplied to the elevator at the front of 3 the kilns towards and on to a rack of a kiln aligned with the extended tracks of the elevators for forcing the pallets with bricks stored on the rack from the back of the rack and so on to the elevator at the back ends of the kilns.

A further object of this invention is to simultaneously move the elevators at the front and at the back of the kilns to a different one of the racks thereof, of any one of the kilns controlled by counting means counting directly or indirectly the pallets with bricks supplied to the kilns so that the kilns'may be correctly lled and emptied.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means for operating the valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines mentioned above, of a particular kiln which is to be relled with bricks a short time before the elevators finish the refilling of another one of said kilns for turning oiI the supply of processing substances, the steam, and exhausting the processing substances, (the steam), in the said kiln.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for simultaneously retracting the extendable and retractable tracks of the elevators after one of the kilns has been illed or refilled with bricks and simultaneously moving said elevators to a steam exhausted kiln ready to be filled or refined with bricks.

Still another object of this invention is to provide means for opening the doors of a steam exhausted kiln after the steam has been exhausted from it, to ready it for being filled or relled by the elevators.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for extending the tracks of the elevators when said elevators reach a steam exhausted kiln for refilling the racks thereof with bricks.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for shutting the doors of a kiln when it has been filled or refilled with bricks and said elevators have moved away from it.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which was just refilled and had its doors closed for shutting oif the exhaust pipe line and turning on the supply of processing substances, the steam.

Another object of the invention is to so arrange the movement of the elevators that filling of the kilns start, for example, at theA top and move progressively down to the bottom one of the kilns.

An object of the invention is to provide means for stopping the brick processing machine when the elevators moveA from kiln to kiln and when they reach the extreme bottom position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for restarting thev machine by operating a main switch, controlling the simultaneous rising of the elevators to their top positions and to provide means whereby other controls take over control of the elevators, and the brick processing machine is then again in functioning condition.

Additional objects and advantages of the new brick processing machine will become clear as this specincation proceeds.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a brick Droc- 4 essing machine constructed in accordance with this invention. A

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged end view of one of the kilns looking in the direction of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view of one of the kilns taken on the line 2--3 of Fig- 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational giiew looking in the direction of the line 4-4 of Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the left hand end of Fig. 1, with the kilns shown in central vertical section.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a portion of Fig. 5 showing particularly one of the elevators, this View being taken as though looking in the direction of the line 6-5 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary plan view of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the line 1-1 thereof.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view looking in the direction of the line 8-5 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. '7 with certain parts of this view, namely certain air cylinders, not being shown in section.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line l-IU of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

The brick processing machine, in accordance with this invention, includes a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns l5, I5, I1 and I8 for steam or other .brick processing substances, and each of said kilns having doors 20 closing its front and back ends for confining said substances. These doors 20 are supported with hinges 2| arranged to hinge the doors 20 inwards. Each of the doors 20 is provided with a flange 22 internally of the kilns arranged to prevent the doors 20 from swinging outwards. Moreover, the flanges 22 serve to seal the edges of the doors so as to prevent leakage of steam from the kilns. Each kiln, at each end, is provided with two doors 2li, see particularly Fig. 2, which have overlapping adjacent flanges 23 to prevent leakage of steam between the doors. In Fig. 5 the top kiln I5 is illustrated with its doors 20 open, while the other kilns I5, I1 and i8 are illustrated with the doors 20 thereof in closed positions. The kilns I5, I5, i1 and I8 are supported by structures 24.

A plurality of superimposed racks 25 extend through each of said kilns and have their front ends for receiving pallets of bricks at the front ends of the kilns spaced inwards from the front ends of the kilns so as not to interfere with the opening-and closing of the doors 2|I of the kilns. The arrangement of the rear ends of the racks 25 is identical to the front ends, that is, the rear or back ends of the racks 25 for discharging pallets of brick at the back ends of the kilns are spaced inwards from the back ends of the kilns so that the back. doors 2li of the kilns may swing inwards into open positions and then back to closed positions.

The dot and dash lines 26 in Figs. 3, 4 and 11 schematically illustrate pallets for bricks, which may be supported across the racks 25. It is customary in the manufacture of bricks or blocks to have the machines which make them deposit them on ilat plates or pallets, such as pallets 25.

The racks 25 accommodate these pallets 25 upon 1s which the bricks or blocks are rested, the bricks or blocks not being illustrated on the drawings. The racks are in the nature of angle irons supported by their vertical arms upon vertical supports 26 mounted within the kilns. The horizontal arms of the angle irons of the racks 25 support strips 26 which have balls 36 projecting at regular distances along their lengths. The pallets 26 rest on the balls 36, as may be understood from an examination of Figs. 3 and 4. With this arrangement there is relatively low resistance to pushing the pallets 26 through the kilns.

Elevators 36 are arranged at the front and back ends of the kilns I5, I6, I1 and I6 for self alignment with the racks 25 during a filling or refilling cycle of the kilns with bricks or blocks. 'I'he elevators 36 have extendable and retractable tracks 3| for guiding said pallets with bricks, normally extending into the ends, of the kilns to conneet with the racks 25, and retractable so that the elevators 36 may pass said kilns I5, I6, I1

and I6. Each elevator 38 includes a frame 32 supporting top shafts 33 and 34 and bottom shafts and 35. The elevators 30 are arranged' to move up and down in frames 31. These frames 31 have channel sides 36 with the arms thereof directed towards each other. The shafts 33 and 35 are provided with flanged wheels 38 which engage the edges of one of the arms of the channels 36. see I'lgs. 9 and 10. A vertical rack 46 is mounted along the length of the other arms of the channels 36. The shafts 34 and 36V are provided with gears 4| which mesh with the racks 4l. Each frame 32 is provided with an electric motor 43 having a speed reduction drive to a pinion 44 which is connected with a transmission 45 driving the shaft 36. When the motors 43 operate in one direction the shafts 36 are driven in one direction and the gears 4I thereof will cause the elevators 36 to move either vup or down. When the motors 43 are reversed the elevators will move in the opposite direction. The top shaft 34 and its gears 4I are merely idlers helping to properly guide the elevators 30 up and down on the fra-mes 31.

The extendable track 3| of each of the elevators 30 is horizontally slidably mounted between top arms 46 of the frame 32. These arms 46 are provided with wheels 41 along their outer faces. The wheels 41 project slightly above the top edges of the arms 46 so as to be capable of supporting pallets 26 with brick. The tracks 3| are provided with rollers 46 which project slightly above the top edges of the tracks so as to be capable of supporting the pallets 26 with brick which may also rest on the wheels 41. On the drawings the tracks 3l are illustrated in their extended positions extending to the front and back ends of the top kiln I5. The tracks 3| would be retracted when they move outwards of the ends of the kiln upon the frames 32 so as to be clear of the ends of the kiln I5, whereupon, the elevators 30 will be capable of moving up and down past the ends of the kilns. In other words, the tracks 3| are telescopically mounted on the frames 32 of the elevators 30 so as to move horizontally into and out of the ends of the kilns. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 the elevators 30 are in their top positions in which the tracks 3| are aligned with the top rack 25 of the kiln I5. The elevators 33 are now ready to start moving downwards, for

filling all of the racks 25 of said kiln I5, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

A valve controlled supply pipe line 50 for steam. or other processing substances, connects with each of the kilns I5, I6, I 'I and I8 for supplying the kilns with steam. These pipe lines 50 connect with a main steam supply line 5I which is controlled by a main electrically operated valve 52. The pipe lines 56 are controlled with electrically operated valves 53, 54, 56 and 56, respectively. for the kilns I5, I6, I1 and I6. A valve controlled exhaust pipe line 51 for steam, or other processing substances, connects with each of the kilns I5, I6, I1 and I6. 'I'hese pipe lines 51 connect with a main steam exhaust pipe 56. The pipe lines 51 are individually controlled with electrically controlled valves 56, 66, 6I and 62 for the kilns I5, I6, I1 and I6, respectively. Withthis arrangement when the doors 20 of the kilns are closed, the kilns may be selectively lled with steam. or other processing substances, through the supply lines 56 and-when required the kilns may be emptied of the steam and other processing substances through the exhaust lines 51.

The front ends of the kilns I5, I6, I1 and I6, which are the ends at the left of Fig. 1 are associated with means for supplying the elevator 36 at said front ends with a continuous supply of pallets with bricks. The rear ends of the kilns are associated with means for removing the pallets with brick as fast as they are supplied to the elevator 30, at the rear. These pallets supply and removing means include top shafts 64 each provided with a pair of spaced sprocket wheels 65. 'Ihe top shafts 64 are mounted across the arms 38 of the frames 31. There is also a bottom shaft 66 mounted across the arms 38 of each frame 31 and provided with bottom sprocket wheels 61. A pair of endless chains 68 engage over the sprocket wheels 65 and 61 of each frame 31. At spaced points these endless chains 68 are provided with adjacent pairs of opposed lifting lingers 69 which are capable of engaging beneath the edge portions of a pallet 26 for lifting or lowering it. The shafts 66 are also provided with sprockets 10 engaged by chains 1| connected with electric motors 12.

A pallet supply conveyor 13 from a standard brick or block machine |01 is adapted to discharge pallets between one of the sides of the endless chains 68 of the front frame 31. More specifically, the conveyor 13 has a pallet receiving extension 14 provided with a plurality of rollers 15 upon which a pallet is finally discharged in a position between the sides of the endless conveyor 66 in a position so that the pallet may be picked up by a pair of fingers 69. The elevator 30 at the front ends of the kilns has its top arms 46 extended in between the other side of the endless chains 68 so that pallets with brick picked up off the rollers 15 will be deposited upon the rollers 41 of the elevator 30. In this way the elevator 30 is being supplied with a continuous supply of pallets with brick. Said elevator 30 is provided with a mechanism for discharging a pallet with bricks as soon as it is supplied upon the racks 25. The details of this mechanism will be covered later in this specification. The elevator 30 at the back ends of the kilns has its arms 46 extending in between the inner sides of the endless chains 68, and therefore the fingers 69 of the means at the back ends of the kilns pick up the pallets with the brick from the elevator 30 at the I back ends of the kilns and deposit them upon a conveyor which removes them as fast as they are deposited.

The elevator l3|) at the front ends of the kilns I5, I6, I 1 and I8 is provided with a means for moving the pallets with bricks as they are supplied to said elevator towards and on to one of the frames 31.

7 racks .25 which is aligned with the extended track 3| of said elevator 38 at the front of the kilns for supplying said rack with pallets with bricks and for forcing other of the pallets with brick on said rack from the back end of said rack and on to the elevator 38 at the back ends of the kilns I5, I6, |1V and I8. 'I'his means includes a cylinder 82 mounted on said frontA elevator 38 and provided with a piston 83 adapted to move from end to end of the cylinder. A piston rod 84 connects with the piston 83 and has its outer end 85 turned upwards and engaging in between the top arms 48 of the said front elevator 38. The piston 83 is moved by compressed air' supplied from an air line 88. This air line 86 connects with a three way valve 81 connecting with air lines 88 and 89 connected with the ends of the cylinder 82.

The valve 81 is operated by an operator stem 88 connected with alever 9| pivotally supported by a pintle 92 intermediate of its ends on a bracket 93 mounted on the elevator frame 32. The lever 9| connects with a plunger 95 vertically slidably mounted in a bushing 96 and having its top end projecting slightly above the rollers 41. When a pair of the fingers 59 lower a pallet with bricks upon the rollers 41 the plunger 95 is depressed. pivoting the lever 9| and moving the stem 98 and operating the valve 81 for causing the piston 83 to move in the direction of the kilns and correspondingly moving the piston rod 84 so that the bend end 85 forces the pallet with bricks towards the kilns moving along all of the pallets with bricks which are on the elevators 38 and on the rack 25 aligned with the extendable tracks 3| of the elevators. When the pallet with the brick is moved the full length of the travel of the piston 83 it will be moved oi the projecting end ofthe plunger 95 which is then released. A spring 91 acting between the lever 9| and the frame 32 pivots the lever 9| for extending the plunger 95 and moving the valve stem 98 to operate the valve 81, causing the piston 83 to move back to its original position towards the left. This same operation is repeated for each pallet with bricks placed on the rollers 41 of the front elevator.

The elevators 38 are automatically operated by means for simultaneously moving said elevators 38 to a different one of the racks 25 of any one of the kilns I5, I5, I1 and |8 controlled by counting -means counting said pallets with bricks as they are supplied to the kilns. These means include a pair of pre-set counters |88, one for each elevator 38. The counters |88 are connected in main electric circuits I8| which control start and stop relays I 82. These relays |82 control circuits |83 connected with the electric motors 43 which operate the elevators 38. 'I'he counters l|88 are actuated by circuits |84 connected with a photoelectric cell |85 operated by a lamp |86 and by the pallets 28 with bricks which pass in between the lamp |88 and cell |85. Preferably, the lamp |88 and cell |85 are placed near the concrete block machine |81 which processes the brick or block on pallets for delivery to the conveyor 13. The concrete block machine |81 is controlled by an electric circuit |88 connected with one of the main electric circuits |8| controlling one of the counters |88.

Each pre-set counter |88 is shunted by a circuit |88a which is controlled by a push button switch |89. These push button switches |89 are mounted on the elevators 38 and are periodically momentarily operated by having their depressible buttons engaging ilngers ||8 mounted upon the These fingers ||8 are spaced dis tances corresponding with the spacing of the racks 25. When one of the racks 25 is completely nlled with pallets of brick, the counters |88 :function to turn on the start and stop relays |82 which then turn on the circuits |83 to the electric motors 43 so that both of the elevators 38 start traveling downwards. 'Ihey continue traveling downwards until the switches I 89 engage the next lingers |Il|. This momentarily closes the switches |89 which operate the start and stop relays |82 for stopping the electric motors 43, and now the elevators 38 are positioned at the adjacent rack 25. When this latter-mentioned rack 25 is nlled or refilled with pallets of brick, the operation is repeated by the counters |88 again operating the relays |82 for moving the elevators 38 to the next rack 25.

The valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines 58 and 51, respectively, are associated with a means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which is to be lled or reillled with pallets with bricks a short time before said elevators 38 finished the filling or refilling of another one of said kilns, for shutting oi the supply of steam and for exhausting the steam in said kiln. 'I'his means includes a push but-ton switch ||5 for each kiln. These switches I |5 are mounted upon one of the frames 31. They are operated by a bar ||5 mounted on the elevator 38 of said frame 31. The bar IIB is quite a long bar to as to maintain the switch ||5 of one of the kilns depressed as long as the elevator 38 is in front of the particular kiln. When the elevator 38 is filling the bottom rack 25 ol' this particular kiln, the bar ||8 extends a sufficient distance downwards to close the switch I5 of the adjacent kiln. The switches 5 control circuits ||1 which operate pairs of relays ||8 and I I9 which in turn control pairs of the electrically operated valves of the kilns controlling the supply lines and the exhaust lines, respectively. This may be clearly understood by inspecting Fig. 11 and noting that one pair of relays l 8 and ||9 control the electrically operated valves 53 and 59. The next pair of the relays I8 and ||9 control the valves 54 and 88. The next pair control vthe valves 55 and'8l, and the flnal pair control the valves 56 and 82.

Springs |28 urge said valves, referred to in the previous paragraphs. into initial positions in which the steam feeds 58 are open and in which the exhausts 51 are normally closed. When any one of the push button switches 5 is closed, it indirectly causes energization of one pair of the relays II8, ||9 which operates a pair of the electrically controlled valves so as to close the steam feed and open the steam exhaust of one kiln. As soon as the particular push vbutton switch ||5 is released the valves return to their initial condition due to the spring action |28, in which the steam feed is again opened and the steam exhaust is closed. Now it should be noted that when the elevators 38 reach the bottom rack 25 of one of the kilns, the rod ||6 extends a sufcient distance down to close the switch I I5 of an 'adjacent kiln. This causes the valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of said adjacent kiln of the kilns has been lled or refilled with pallets of brick. 'I'he elevators 30 are also associated with means for simultaneously moving them to the adjacent kiln as soon as the tracks 3| are retracted. The retracting means include compound switches |25 :mounted respectively on the elevators 30 and cooperative with operator rods |26 mounted on the frames 31, there being one rod |26 for each of the kilns. These rods |26 are located between the bottommost of the lingers H of one kiln and uppermost of the fingers ||0 of an ladjacent kiln. The compound switches |25 include normally closed switch sections |21 for controlling the circuits |0|, normally opened switch sections |28 for controlling shunt circuits |29 to the motors 43', and normally opened switch sections |30 for controlling circuits |3| operating pairs of solenoids |32 and electrically operated air valves |35.

The solenoids |32 are mounted on the ends of the retractable tracks 3| (see Figs. 7 and 8). The solenoids |32 are provided with cores |36 which normally are in lowered positions beneath the tops of the rollers 48. However, when the solenoids |32 are energized the cores |36 will move upwards so as to project above the tops of the rollers 48. These cores |36 then engage the edges of pallets with bricks rested on the rollers 48 so as to move the pallets with brick back when the tracks 3| are retracted. Springs |31 normally urge the cores |36 into lowered positions. 'I'he electrically operated valves |35' control air cylinders |38. More specifically, valves |35 are connected with the air lines 66 and with the air line branches |39 connected-with the ends of the cylinders |38.V The cylinders |38 'are provided with pistons |40 connected with piston rods |4| having ends |42 connected with the tracks 3|.

Each of the electrically operated air valves |35 are normally urged into one position by springs |43. In this latter position the tracks 3| are extended. However, when the electrically operated air valves |35 are electrically energized they function to cause the pistons |40 to move so as to move the piston rods |4| causing the ends 42 to retract the tracks 3|. A push button switch |45 is mounted on each oi' the tracks 3|, and are so positioned that their buttons will be depressed when the tracks 3| are in fully retracted positions. For example, the switches |45 may be so positioned that their buttons strike the frames 32 of the elevators when the tracks 3| are fully retracted. The switches |45 have switch sections |92, normally opened, arranged in series with the switch sections |26 in the circuits 29.

When the elevators 30 are positioned at the bottom rack 25 of one of the kilns, the switches |25 will still be free. However, when the elevators 30 are now started down again by the preset counters |00, the switches |25 will engage the rods |26 and take over control of the elevators 30. As soon as the switches 25 have control of the elevators, the switches |09 will strike the last one of the fingers ||0 of 'the particular kiln so as to reset the start and stop relays |02 to stop the electric motors 43. However, the electric motors 43 will continue operating because now the switches |25 are in control. It will take but an instant for the switch sections |30 to operate the electrically controlled valves 35 to' indirectly cause the tracks 3| to be retracted. When fully retracted the switches |45 will be closed, which close the circuits |29 shunting the start and stop relays |02 and causing the electric l0 motors 43 to operate i'or continuing to move the elevators downwards.

The switch sectiens |21 or the cempoundthe concrete block machine. However, the time consumed by the elevators 30 in'traversing the distance from one kiln to another is suillciently long to require the concrete block machine |01 to stop. Also when the switch sections |21 are opened the circuits |0| are cut to the counters |00 and to the start and stop relays 02. The bars |26 are of a suilcient length so that the elevators 30 will reach positions level with the top rack 25 of the adjacent kiln. Then the switches |25 will ride oi the bars 26. Springs |46 are connected with and return the switches |25 to their original positions in which the sections |28 and |30 are opened and the sections |21 are closed.

The doors 20 of the kilns are connected with means for opening the doors 20 of the steam exhausted kilns after the steam has been exhausted from them. This means includes a cylinder |50 for each door. Each cylinder |50 is horizontally pivotally supported on a vertical stud |5| mounted upon a bracket |52 attached to the kiln. Within each cylinder |50 there is a piston |53 which connects with a piston rod |54, in turn pivotally connected with lugs |55 mounted on a door 20. Each cylinder |50 is provided with air pipes |56 connecting with the ends thereof, and connecting with an electrically operated air valve |51. 'I'he air valves |51 connect with an air supply pipe |58. The electrically operated air valves |51 are connected in electric circuits |59 which are controlled by push button switches |60. The circuits |59 are connected in parallel with a main circuit |6|. The electrically operated air valves |51 are normally urged in one direction by springs |62. These springs |62 urge the valves |51 into positions in which the doors 20 are closed. The switches |60 are normally open.

The switches |60 are mounted upon one of the arms 38 of the one frame 31. They are operated by a bar |63 mounted upon one of the elevators 30. The bar |63 is supported by a rod |64 in turn connected with a brace |65 mounted on the frame 32. The bar ||6 is supported by an arm |66 connected with the brace |65. The bar |63 is of such a length that the switch |60 of one of the kilns is held closed when the elevators 30 are positioned before this kiln. In Fig. 5 the elevator 30 is illustrated positioned so that its track 3| is aligned with the top rack 25. In this position the switch 60 for this kiln is closed. The switch |60 will remain closed as the elevator proceeds down to the last rack 25 of this kiln. It will also remain closed while the retractable tracks 3| are retraced and then will remain closed a little longer until the-elevators 30 move slightly further downwards. At this point the switch |60 will be released, opening the closed circuit |59 for causing the springs |62 of the valves |51 of the kiln which the elevators 30 just left, to reset the valves yI 51 for indirectly causing the doors 20 of this kiln to close. When the elevators 30 reach new posill tions in which their extendable tracks are nearly aligned with the first rack 25 of the adjacent kiln. the bar |63 will close the switch |60 of this kiln causing the doors 20 thereof to open.

The elevators 30 are connected with manually controlled means for causing them to rise back to their top positions. This means includes a main compound switch |10 normally urged in one direction by a spring |1|. In its normal condition the main compound switch |10 has a number of open and closed sections. It includes switch sections |12 controlling reversing circuits |13 for the electric motors 43. The compound reversing switch |10 also includes sections |14 controlling the circuits |29 of the motors 43. The sections |12 are normally open and the sections |14 are normally closed. The main compound reversing switch |10 also includes sections |15 controlling the circuits to the preset counters |00. The main compound reversing switch also includes sections |16 normally open and controlling shunt circuits |11 shunting the switch sections |30 of the compound switches |25. 'Ihe compound reversing switch |10 also includes sections |18, |19, |80 and |8| normally closed and controlling the circuits |1 of the means for opening and closing the valves of the steam supply lines 50 and the exhaust lines 51. The compound reversing switch |10 also includes a. section |82 normally closed and controlling the main circuit |6| of the means for operating the doors 20. The compoundreversing switch |10 also includes a section |83 normally closed and controlling a circuit |84 which controls the main steam valve 52. The steam valve 52 is normally urged into an open position by current flowing through the circuit |84 and when the circuit |84 is broken it is urged into a closed position by a spring |85.

An auxiliary feed circuit |86 joins in the control of the electrically controlled valves 53 and 59 controlling the steam inlet and steam exhaust to the top kiln I5. This auxiliary feed circuit |85 includes a normally open push button switch |81 which is mounted upon one of the arms 38 and is operated by the bottom end of the bar ||6. When the elevators 30 are in their extreme bottom positions the bar ||6 closes the switch |81. Switch |81 operates a time controlled relay |88 which supplies current to the circuit ||1 of the electrically controlled valves 53 and 59. The

switch |81 is positioned at a point to be closed by the bar ||6 when the elevators 30 reach positions in which their extendable tracks 3| are aligned with the bottom rack 25 of the bottom kiln 8. When the elevators 30 move down to their extreme bottom positions the bar ||8 will still keep the switch |81 closed.

The reversing circuits |13 include top limit switches |90 mounted on one of the arms 38 of each frame 31 and normally closed and adapted to be opened by the elevators 30 when the elevators 30 reach their topmost position. These limit switches |98 serve to stop the elevators 30 after they have moved to their top positions. 'I'he switches |45 which controlled downward movement of the elevators 30 when the extendable tracks 3| were retracted include normally opened sections |9| controlling the reversing circuits |13 and said sections |92 controlling the forward circuit |29. The switches 45 require that the retractable tracks 3| be in retracted positions before the elevators 30 may move from one kiln to another, up or down. Bottom limit switches |94 have normally closed sections |91 controlling the main-electric circuits |0| to the block machine |01 and to the preset counters |00. This switch |94 is mounted on one of the arms 38 of each frame 31 and is closed by the bars ||8 when the elevators 30 are in their extreme bottom position. For this reason eachelevator 30 has a bar ||6. The switches |94 also have normally closed sections |88 and |99 controlling circuits |29 and |03 respectively, to the motors 43.

The operation of the device may be understood from the following:

Let use assume that the elevators 30 are in the positions as illustrated in Figs. l and 5. In these positions of the elevators 30, the doors 20 of the top kiln |5 are open, the electrically operated steam valve 53 is closed, and the electrically operated exhaust valve 59 is open. The doors 20 of the kilns I5, |1 and I8 are closed and the electrlcally operated steam control valves 54, 55 and 56 are open, while the electrically controlled exhaust valves 60, 6| and 62 are closed. The motors 12 are operating continuously, and the endless members 88 are moving, causing the fingers 69 upon the left hand sections 0f the endless members 68 to move upwards, while the lingers 69 upon the right hand sections of the endless members 68 to move downwards. The concrete block machine 01 is functioning and periodically supplies a pallet 26 with bricks. This pallet with bricks is carried by the conveyor 13 and discharged upon the rollers 15 where it remains until it is picked up by the next set of fingers 69 coming along. The pallet 26 with the bricks is lifted all the way to the top of the sprockets 65, thenv across the shaft 64 and then starts coming down along the right hand side of the endless members 68. Soon it is deposited upon the elevator 30 at the front ends of the kilns.

The pallet 26 with bricks depresses the plunger 95, pivoting the lever 9| and moving the stem 90 of the air valve 81 causing the piston 83 in the cylinder 82 to move towards the right. The piston rod 84 and bent end 85 then moves the pallet 26 with bricks towards the kilns and correspondingly move all pallets with bricks which stretch across the extendable tracks 3| and the top rack 25 of the top kiln |5 towards the right. Consequently, as one pallet with bricks is fed towards and into the kiln, another will be pushed out onto the elevator 30 at the back ends of the The discharged pallet with bricks will be picked up by a pair of lingers 69 of the endless members 68 at the right (see Fig. 1) and will be carried up around the sprockets 65 and then down and deposited upon the conveyor which takes it away. This operation keeps repeating until the entire top rack 25 of the kiln 5 has been reiilled. In the meantime the counters |88 were counting the number of pallets with bricks which were being fed into the top rack 25 and the top kiln I5. When the required number have been counted off the counters |00 operate and cause the start and stop relays |02 to function so that current now flows through the circuits |03 to the electric motors 43. The motors 43 indirectly drive the shafts 36 and the pinions 4| which work on the racks 40 and cause the elevators 30 to simultaneously move downwards.

Each of the elevators 30 keep moving downwards until its switch |09 strikes the top fingers of the fingers ||0 momentarily closing the circuits I08a. The circuits |08a cause the relays |02 to open the circuits |83, stopping each eleva.- tor 30 in correct position in which its extended track 3| is now aligned with the second rack 25 of said kiln l5. In this way the operation 13 repeats, until the elevators 38 reach the lowermost of the raclns`25 of the top kiln l5. When this occurs one of the bars |I6 extends down and closes the switch of the kiln I6. Said switch II5 immediately closes circuit ||1 of the relays II8 and |I9 which operate the electrically operated valves 54 and 60 causing the steam inlet to the kiln I6 to be closed and opening the steam exhaust. In the meantime the elevators 30 are relilling the bottom rack of the top kiln I5.

During this period the steam pressurein the kiln I6 falls to atmospheric pressure.

When the bottom rack 25 of the top kiln I5 has been completely relled, the counters |00 cause the elevators to start moving downwards. At thisy instant the compound switches |25 engage the rods |26 closing the switch sections 28 and |30 and opening the switch sections |21. The closed switch sections |30 close the circuits I3| which cause the solenoids |32 to project their cores'I36 upwards to extend across the pallets with bricks on the extended tracks 3|. Simultaneously, closing of the circuits I 3| operate the electrically operated air valves causing the pistons |40 in the cylinders |38 to move so that the upturned ends |42 of the piston rods I4I retract the tracks 3|. The opened switch sections |21 stop the concrete block machine |01 and stop the counters |00. The closed switch sections |28 close the circuits |29 to the motors 43, but the motors 43 do not operate until the tracks 3| are fully retracted and then the sections |92 of the switches |45 close the circuits I 29 and the motors 43 function to continue to send the elevators 30 downwards. As soon as the switches |25 take over the control of the elevators 30 the switches |09 engage vthev bottom fingers of the sets of fingers |I0 for the kiln I5, momentarily closing the circuits |08 and resetting the relays |02 to open the circuits |03. However, the motors 43 continue functioning because the circuits |29 remain closed.

When the elevators 30 reach positions in which they are nearly aligned with the top racks 25 of the kiln I6, the bar |63 closes the switch |60 of the kiln I6 operating the electric air valves |51 and indirectly causing the doors 20 of the kiln I6 to open. By this time the switches |25 ride off of the rods |26 and the springs |46 return the switches |25 to their original positions. This causes the switch sections |28 and |30 .to open and the switch sections |21 to close. When the switch sections |30 open, circuits I 3| are broken and the cores |36 are retracted, While the electric operated valves |35 function to indirectly extend the tracks 3|. The closed switch sections |21 restart the counters |00 and the block machine |01. Now the top rack of the kiln I6 will be refilled.

When the elevators 30 left the bottom rack 25 of the top kiln I5 the bar |63 rode oft' of the switch |60 of the top kiln I5 and opened the.

circuit |59 to the electric operated air valves |51 of the door operating mechanism of the doors 20 of the top kiln I5, causing the doors 20 to close. A short period later the top end of the bar I6 rode 0E of the valve I5 of the top kiln I5 opening the circuit |I1 of the top kiln I5 which indirectly causes the steam valve 53 to open and the exhaust valve 59 to close. The top kiln I5 now receives live steam and the brick in it is being cured.

The operation of iilling the second kiln I6v is identical to the top kiln I5. The elevators 30 keep working their way down relling the racks CII tain retracted positions.

14 26 of the kilns until they simultaneously reach the bottom kiln I8. When the elevators 30 reach the bottom rack 25 of the bottom kiln I8 the bar I I 6 closes the switch |81 which closes the feed circuit |86. 'I'his immediately supplies` electric current to the electrically operated valves 53 and 59 of the top kiln I5, which indirectly exhaust the steam from this kiln. When the bottom rack ofthe bottom kiln I8 is completely relled the counters |00 cause the operation of the stop and start relays |02 which in turn close the circuits |03 to the motors 43. The elevators 30 now proceed moving downwards. This sets into motion the switches |25 against the bottom-most rods I 26 which indirectly causes the tracks 3| to be retracted and causes the elevators 30 to continue downwards to their complete down positions. As soon as the elevators 30 leave the bottom kiln I8 the bar |63 rides oir the bottom-most switch |60 indirectly closing the doors of the bottom kiln. The bar ||6 also rides oi the bottom-most switch |I5, indirectly causing operation of the valves 56 and 62 to close the exhaust and to open the steamto said bottom kiln I8. The elevators 30 move downwards until the bars ||6 engage the limit switches |94 which open the main circuits I 0| stopping the concrete block machine |01 and the counters |00 and open the motor circuits |03 and |29, bringing the elevators 30 to a stop. Theentire machine is now at rest The machine is restarted by closing the main compound reversing switch |10. This switch must be held down while the elevators 30 travel up to their top positions. When the elevators 30 reach their top positions the top limit switches |90 will be opened causing the elevators 30 to come to rest in their top positions in which their tracks 3| will be aligned with the top racks 25 of the top kiln I5. When the compound switch |10 was depressed the sections 12 were closed, closing the circuits |13 and causing the motors 43 to reverse to drive the elevators 30 upwards. The sections |14 were opened, opening the circuits |29 which drive the motors 43 to move the elevators downwards. The sections |15 were opened to cut the circuits IOI so that the concrete block machine |01 and the counters |00 do not receive current. The sections |16 were closed for closing the circuits |11 for operating the electrically operated air valves |35 and indirectly causing the tracks 3| to assume or main- The section |82 was opened to open the circuit I6| to cut the current to the electrically operated air valves |51 to make certain that all the kiln doors remain closed. The section |83 opened the circuit |84 to cut the current to the electrically operated valve 52 to make certain that the supply of steam is cut to all of the kilns.

It should be noted that the feed circuit |86 remains on so that current is supplied to the electrically operated valves 53 and 59 so as to keep the top kiln I5 exhausted of steam. The time relay |88 keeps circuit |86 closed a suiiicient amount of time to give the elevators 30 time to reach their top positions. The sections |19, and |8I of the compound reversing switch |10 are also opened to retain the setting of the steam valves and exhaust valves of the compound reversing switch |10 is released and it will move back to its original position due to the action of spring Ill. The parts then assume the positions shown in Fig. 5 and the operation of the device is ready tobe continued, as already described.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam and having doors closing their front and back ends for confining said steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns and having front ends for receiving pallets with bricks at the front ends of said kilns and having back ends for discharging pallets with bricks at the back ends of said kilns, elevators at the front and back ends of said kilns for selective alignment with said racks, a valve controlled supply pipe line for steam connecting with each of said kilns, a valve controlled exhaust pipe line for said steam connecting with each of said kilns, means for supplying said elevator at the front ends of said kilns with a continuous supply of pallets with bricks, means for removing pallets with bricks from and as soon as they are deposited on said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for moving said pallets with bricks as they are supplied to said elevator at the front of said kilns towards and on to a rack aligned with said elevators and forcing pallets with bricks on said rack from the back end of said rack and on to said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for simultaneously moving said elevators progressively fromrack to rack of any one of said kilns for filling the racks thereof in order and controlled by counting means counting said pallets with bricks as they are supplied, means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which'is to be filled or refilled with pallets with bricks a short time before said elevators finish the filling or refilling of another of said kilns for shutting ofi the steam and exhausting the steam of said first kiln, means for simultaneously moving said elevators to said steam exhausted kiln,

means for opening the doors of said steam exhausted kiln, means for shutting the doors of each kiln when it has been refilled with pallets with bricks and said elevators have moved away from it, and means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of the kiln which has just been refilled and had its doors closed for shutting off the exhaust line and turning on the supply of steam.

2. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam and having doors closing their front and back ends for confining said steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns and having front ends for receiving pallets with bricks at the front ends of said kilns and having back ends for discharging pallets with bricks at the back ends of said kilns, elevators at the front and back ends of said kilns for selective alignment with said racks. a valve controlled supply pipe line for steam connecting 16 with each of said kilns. a valve controlled exhaust pipe line for said steam connecting with each of said kilns, means for supplying said elevator at the front ends of said kilns with a continuous supply of pallets with bricks, means for removing pallets with bricks from and as soon as they are deposited on said elevator at the back of said kilns, means including an air cylinder and piston for moving said pallets with bricks as they are supplied to said elevator at the front of said kilns towards and on to a rack aligned with said elevators and forcing pallets with bricks on said rack from the back end of said rack and on to said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for simultaneously moving said elevators progressively from rack to rack of any one of said kilns for filling the racks thereof in order, means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which is to be filled or refilled with pallets with bricks a. short time beforesaid elevators finish the filling or refilling of another of said kilns for shutting off the steam and exhausting the steam of said first kiln, means for simultaneously moving said elevators to said steam exhausted kiln, means for opening the doors of said steam exhausted kiln, means for shutting the doors of each kiln when it has been refilled with pallets with bricks and said elevators have moved away from it, and means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of the kiln which has just been refilled and had its doors closed for shutting ofi the exhaust line and turning on the supply of steam.

3. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam and having doors closing their front and back ends for confining said steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns and having front ends for receiving pallets with bricks at the front ends of said kilns and having back ends for discharging pallets with bricks at the back ends of said kilns, elevators at the front and back ends of said kilns for selective alignment with said racks, a valve controlled supply pipe line for steam connecting with each of said kilns, a valve controlled exhaust pipe line for said steam connecting with each of said kilns, means for supplying said elevator at the front ends of said kilns with a continuous supply of pallets with bricks, means for removing pallets with bricks from and as soon as they are deposited on said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for moving said pallets with bricks as they are supplied to said elevator at the front of said kilns towards and on to a rack aligned with said elevators and forcing pallets with bricks on said rack from the back end of said rack and on to said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for simultaneously moving said elevators progressively from rack to rack of any one of said kilns for filling the racks thereof in order and controlled by counting means counting said pallets with bricks as they are supplied, means for op erating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which is to be filled or refilled with pallets with bricks a short time before said elevators finish the filling or refilling of another said kilns for shutting ofi? the steam and exhausting the steam of said first kiln, means for simultaneously moving said elevators to said steam exhausted kiln, means for opening the doors of said steam exhausted kiln, means for shutting the doors of each kiln when it has been refilled with pallets with bricks and said elevaazioaeao tors have moved away from it, and means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of the kiln which has just been reiilled and had its doors closed for shutting off the exhaust line and turning on the supply of steam, said means for moving said pallets with bricks as soon as they are supplied to said elevator at the front of said kilns towards and on to said rack, comprising an air cylinder and piston, a piston rod connected with said piston and having an end engageable against one edge of a pallet with bricks engaged on said elevator for moving same, an air supply to the'ends of said cylinder, a valve for controlling said air supply to move said piston from one end to the other end of said cylinder, a plunger depressed by said pallet with bricks on said elevator, means connecting said plunger with and for operating said valve, and resilient means for returning said plunger to a raised position when said pallet with bricks has been moved ofi it.

4. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam and having doors closing their front and back ends for conning said steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns and having front ends for receiving pallets with bricks at the front ends of said kilns and having back ends for discharging palletsv with bricks at the back ends of said kilns, elevators at the front and back ends of said kilns for selective alignment with said racks, a valve controlled supply pipe line for steam connecting with each of said kilns, a valve controlled exhaust pipe line for said steam connecting with each of said kilns. means for supplying said elevator at the front ends of said kilns with a continuous supply of pallets with bricks, means for removing pallets with bricks from and as soon as they are deposited on said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for moving said pallets with bricks as they are supplied to said elevator at the front of said kilns towards and on to a rack aligned with said elevators and forcing pallets with bricks on said rack from the back end of said rack and on 'to said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for simultaneously moving said elevators progressively from rack to rack of any one of said kilns for iilling the racks thereof in order and controlled by counting means counting said pallets with bricks as they are supplied, means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which is to be filled or reiilled with pallets with bricks a short time before said elevators nish the lling or refilling of another said kilns for shutting on the steam and exhausting the steam of said rst kiln, means for simultaneously moving said elevators to said steam exhausted kiln, means for opening the doors of said steam exhausted kiln, means for shutting the doors of each kiln when it has been refilled with pallets with bricks and said elevators have moved away from it, and means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of the kiln which has just been reillled and had its doors closed for shutting oi the exhaust lines lancl'turning on the supply of steam, said means for simultaneously moving said elevators to a different one of said racks of any one of said kilns includes electric motor driven means for moving said elevators, start and stop relays for controlling said electric motors, said counting means being connected with said relays for starting said motors, and a stopping circuit for said relays for stopping said motors, said stopping 18 circuits including switches mounted upon said elevators, and stationary iingers for each of said racks engageable with said switches as said elevators reach pre-selected points for stopping said elevators.

5. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam and having doors closing their front and back ends for confining said steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns and having front ends for receiving pallets with bricks at the front ends of said kilns and having back ends for discharging pallets with bricks at the back ends of said kilns, elevators at the front and back ends of said kilns for selective alignment with said racks, a valve controlled supply pipe line for steam connecting with each of said kilns, a valve controlled exhaust pipe line for said.

steam connecting with each of said kilns, means for supplying said elevator at the front ends of said kilns with a, continuous supply of pallets with bricks, means for removing pallets with bricks from and as soon as they are deposited on said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for moving said pallets with bricks as they are supplied to said elevator at the front of said kilns towards and on to a rack aligned with said elevators and forcing pallets with bricks on said rack from the back end of said rack and on to said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for simultaneously moving said elevators progressively from rack to rack of any one of said kilns for lling the racks thereof in order and controlled by counting means counting said pallets with bricks as they are supplied, means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which is to be lled or refilled with pallets with bricks a short time before said elevators nish the lling or refilling of another said kilns for shutting off the steam and exhausting the steam of said rst kiln, means for simultaneously moving said elevators to said steam exhausted kiln, means for opening the doors of said steam exhausted kiln, means for shutting the doors of each kiln when it has been relled with pallets with bricks and said elevators have moved away from it, and means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of the kiln which has just been reiilled and had its doors closed for shutting off the exhaust line and turning on the supply of steam, and means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines includes an electrical- `ly operated valve for each of said pipe lines, thev valves for said supply pipe lines being normally open and the valves for said exhaust pipe lines being normally closed, circuits for operating said electrically controlled valves including switches, said switches being stationarily mounted along the path of motion of said elevators, and a bar mounted upon one of said elevators engageable with said switches as said elevators reach preselected positions.

6. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam and having-doors closing their front and back ends for conning said' steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns and having front ends for receiving pallets with bricks at the front ends 0f said kilns and having back ends for discharging pallets with bricks at the back ends of said kilns, elevators at the front and back ends of said kilns for selective alignment Il with said racks, a valve controlled supply pipe line for steam connecting with each of said kilns, a valve controlled exhaust pipe line for said steam connecting with each of said kilns, means for supplying said elevator at the front ends of said kilns with a continuous supply of pallets with bricks, means for removing pallets with bricks from and as soon as they are deposited on sai elevator at the back of said kilns, means for moving said pallets with bricks as they are supplied to said elevator at the front of said kilns towards and on to a rack aligned with said elevators and forcing pallets with bricks on said rack from the back end of said rack and on to said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for simultaneously moving said elevators progressively from rack to rack of any one of said kilns for filling the racks thereof in order and controlled by counting means counting said pallets with bricks as they are supplied, means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which is to be filled or refilled with pallets with bricks a short time before said elevators finish the filling or refilling of another said kilns for shutting oil the steam and exhausting the steam of said first kilns, means for simultaneously moving said elevators to said steam exhausted kiln, means for opening the doors of said steam exhausted kiln, means for shutting the doors of each kiln when it has been reiilled with pallets with bricks and said elevators have moved away from it, and means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of the kiln which has just been refilled and had its doors closed for shutting off the exhaust line and turning on the supply of steam. said means for opening the doors of said kilns includes pneumatic door opening means controlled with electrically operated valves, circuits for controlling said electrically operated valves including switches, said switches being mounted along the paths of travel of said elevators and a bar mounted on one of said elevators and engageable with said switches.

'7. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam and having doors closing their front and back ends for confining said steam and hinging inwards to open positions, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns and having front ends for receiving pallets with bricks at the front ends of said kilns spaced upwards from the front ends of said kilns and having back ends for discharging pallets with bricks at the back ends of said kilns spaced inwards of the back ends of said kilns, elevators at the front and back ends of said kilns for selective alignment with said racks during a filling cycle and having extendable and retractable tracks for said pallets with bricks extendable into the ends of said kilns to connect with said racks and retractable so that said elevators may pass said kilns, a valve controlled supply pipe line for steam connecting with each of said kilns, a valve controlled exhaust pipe line for said steam connecting with each of said kilns, means for supplying said elevator at the front of said kilns with a continuous supply of pallets with bricks, means for removing pallets with bricks from and as soon as they are deposited on said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for moving said pallets with bricks as they are supplied to said elevator at the front of said kilns towards and on to a rack aligned with the extended track of said elevator at the front of said kilns and forcing pallets with bricks on said rack from the back end of said rack and on to said elevator at the back ends of said kilns,

means for simultaneously moving said elevators progressively from rack to rack of any one of said kilns for filling the racks thereof in order and controlled by counting means counting said pallets with bricks as they are supplied, means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which is to be refilled with pallets with bricks a short time before said elevators finish the refilling of another said kilns for shutting off the steam and exhausting the steam of said first kiln, means for simultaneously retracting the said tracks of said elevators after one of said kilns has been refilled with pallets with bricks and simultaneously moving said elevators to said steam exhausted kiln, means for opening the doors of said steam exhausted kiln, means for extending the tracks of said elevators when said elevators reach said exhausted kiln for refilling the racks thereof, means for shutting the doors of each kiln when it has been refilled with pallets with bricks and said elevators have moved away from it, and means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which was just refilled and had its doors closed for shutting 01T the exhaust line and turning on the supply of steam.

8. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam and having doors closing their front and back ends for confining said steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns and having front ends for receiving pallets with bricks at the front ends of said kilns spaced upwards from the front ends of said kilns and having back ends for discharging pallets with bricks at the back ends of said kilns spaced inwards of the back ends of said kilns, elevators at the front and back ends of said kilns for selective alignment with said racks during a filling cycle and having extendable and retractable tracks for said pallets with bricks extendable into the ends of said kilns to connect with said racks and retractable so that said elevators may pass said kilns, a valve controlled supply pipe line for steam connecting with each of said kilns, a valve controlled exhaust pipe line for said steam connecting with each of said kilns, means for supplying said elevator at the front of said kilns with a continuous supply of pallets with bricks, means for removing pallets with bricks from and as soon as they are deposited on said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for moving said pallets with bricks as they are supplied to said elevator at the front of said kilns towards and on to a rack aligned with the extended track of said elevator at the front of said kilns and forcing pallets with bricks on said rack from the back end of said rack and on to said elevator at the back ends of said kilns, means for simultaneously moving said elevators progressively from rack to rack of any one of said kilns for lling the racks thereof in order controlled by counting means counting said pallets with bricks as they are supplied, means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which is to be refilled with pallets with bricks a short time before said elevators finish the refilling of another of said kilns for shutting off the steam and exhausting the steam of said first kiln, means for simultaneously retracting the said tracks of said elevators after one of said kilns has been relled with pallets with bricks and simultaneously moving said elevators to said steam exhausted kiln, means for opening the doors of said steam exhausted kiln, means for extending the tracks of said elevators when said elevators reach said exhausted kiln for reillling the racks thereof, means for shutting the doors of each kiln when it has been reillled with pallets with bricks and said elevators have moved away from it, and means for operating said valve controlled supply and exhaust pipe lines of a kiln which was just refilled and had its doors closed for shutting off the exhaust line and turning on the supply of steam.

9. In a brick processing machine, a kiln for steam for curing bricks and having open ends, doors for closing the ends of said kiln to confine said steam and hingedly mounted to swing from closed positions inwards into said kiln to yopen positions so that internal pressures within said kiln hold said doors closed, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through said kiln and having their ends spaced inwards of the ends of said kiln so as not to obstruct said doors from swinging inwards to their open positions, and

elevators at the ends of said kiln for selective alignment with said racks and having extendable and retractable tracks for guiding pallets with bricks extending into the ends of said kiln to connect with said racks and retractable so that said elevators may pass said kiln.

10. In a brick processing machine, a, kiln for steam for curing bricks and having open ends, doors for closing the ends of said kiln to confine said steam and hingedly mounted to swing from closed positions inwards into said kiln to open positions so that internal pressures within said kiln hold said doors closed, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through said kiln and having their ends spaced inwards of the ends of said kiln so as not to obstruct said doors from swinging inwards to their open positions, elevators at the ends of said kiln for selective alignment with said racks and having extendable and retractable tracks for guiding pallets with bricks extending into the ends of said kiln to connect with said racks and retractable so that said elevators may pass said kiln, and means for moving said pallets with bricks from one of said-elevators towards and on to a rack aligned with the extended tracks of said elevators and for forcing pallets with bricks from said rack on to the other of said elevators.

11. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns for supporting rpallets with bricks, a frame for an elevator adjacent one of the ends of said kilns, an elevator vertically movably mounted on said frame for selective alignment with said racks, an electric motor for raising and lowering said elevator, a plurality of ngers mounted on said frame in a vertical path and spaced from each other corresponding with the spacing of said racks, an electric circuit for said electric motor, a start and stop relay controlling said circuit, counter means connecting said circuit for starting said relay for operating said motor for moving said elevator from one of said racks, and a switch mounted on said elevator and operated by engaging said lingers and connected in said circuit for operating said relay to stop said elevator adjacent another of said racks.

12. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns for supporting pallets with bricks, a frame for an elevator adjacent one of the ends of said kilns, an elevator vertically movably mounted on said frame for selective alignment with said racks, an electric motor for raising and lowering said elevator, a plurality of iingers mounted on said frame in a vertical path and spaced from each other corresponding with the spacing of said racks, an electric circuit forsaid electric motor, a start and stop relay controlling said circuit, counter means connecting said circuit for starting said relay for operating said motor for moving said elevator from one of said racks, a switch mounted on said elevator and operated by engaging said lingers and connected in said circuit for operating said relay to stop said elevator adjacent another of said racks, and a shunt circuit and a reversing switch for reversing said motor for moving said elevator to starting position and having a switch section for opening the first named circuit while said motor is operated in reverse.

13. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam, doors for closing said kilns, electric means for closinr,r the doors of each kiln and including a circuit and a control switch for each kiln, a plurality of superimposed racks extending 'through each of said kilns for pallets of bricks, a frame for an elevator adjacent one of the ends of said kilns, an electric elevator vertically movably mounted on said frame for selective alignment with said racks, said control switches being mounted on said frame, and a bar mounted on said elevator for engaging said switches selectively for opening the doors of any one of said kilns while said elevator is adjacent said kiln.

14'. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam, doors for closing said kilns, electric means for closingr the doors of each kiln and including a circuit and a control switch for each kiln, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns for pallets of bricks a frame for an elevator adjacent one of the ends of said kilns, an electric elevator vertically movably mounted on said frame for selective alignment with said racks. said control switches being mounted on said frame, a bar mounted on said elevator for engaging said switches selectively for opening the doors of any one of said kilns while said elevator is adjacent said kiln, and a shunt circuit and. reversing switch for reversing said electric elevator for moving said elevator to starting position and having a switch section for opening said first named circuit while said elevators operate in reverse.

15. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam and having doors for closing their ends for oonning said steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns for pallets of bricks, a frame for an elevator adjacent one of the ends of said kilns, an elevator vertically movably mounted on said frame for selective alignment with said racks, an electric motor for raising and lowering said elevator, an electric circuit for said motor, a valve controlled supply pipe line for steam connecting with each of said kilns, a valve controlled exhaust line for steam connecting with'each of said kilns, means for closing and opening the doors of each kiln and including a control switch mounted on said frame, a bar mounted on said elevator for engaging said switches selectively for opening the doors of any of one of said kilns while said elevator is adjacent said kiln, electric means for normally opening said supply pipe line to each kiln and normally closing said exhaust pipe line to each kiln and including a switch for each kiln for controlling said electric means for said supply pipe line thereof and opening said exhaust pipe line thereof, said second named switches being mounted on said frame, and a bar on said elevator for engaging said second named switches for closing the supply pipe line and opening the exhaust pipe line of any one of said kilns while said elevator is adjacent said kiln.

16. In a brick processing machine a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns for steam and having doors for closing their ends for confining said steam, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns for pallets of bricks, a frame for an elevator adjacent one of the ends of said kilns, an elevator vertically movably mounted on said frame for selective alignment with said racks, an electric motor for raising and lowering said elevator, an electric circuit for said motor, a valve controlled supply pipe line for steam connecting with each of said kilns, a valve controlled exhaust line for steam connecting with each of said kilns, means for closing and opening the doors f each kiln and including a control switch mounted on said frame, a bar mounted on said elevator for engaging said switches selectively for opening the doors of any one of said kilns while said elevator is adjacent said kiln, electric means for normally opening said supply pipe line to each kiln and normally closing said exhaust pipe line to each kiln and including a switch for each kiln for controlling said electric means for closing said supply pipe line thereof and opening said exhaust pipe line thereof, said second named switches being mounted on said frame, a bar on said elevator for engaging said second named switches for closing the supply pipe line and opening the exhaust pipe line of any one of said kilns While 4 said elevator is adjacent said kiln, an electrically operated main valve for said supply pipe line, a

shunt circuit and a reversing switch for reversing said motor for moving said elevator to starting position and having a switch section for controlling the closing of said main valve while said motor is reversed.

17. In a brick processing machine, a plurality of superimposed horizontal kilns, a plurality of superimposed racks extending through each of said kilns and having front ends for receiving pallets with bricks at the front ends of said kilns and having back ends for discharging pallets with bricks at the back ends of said kilns, elevators at the front and back ends of said kilns for selective alignment with said racks, means for supplying said elevator at the front ends of said kilns with a continuous supply of pallets with bricks, means for removing pallets with bricks from and as soon as they are deposited on said elevator at the back of said kilns, means for simultaneously moving said elevators from rack to rack of any one of Asaid kilns for filling the racks thereof and controlled by counting means counting said pallets with bricks as they are supplied, and means for moving said pallets with bricks as they are supplied to said elevator at the front of said kilns towards and on to a rack aligned with said elevators in order to force pallets with bricks on said rack from the back end of said rack and on to said elevator at the back of said kilns.

LOUIS GELBMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are 0i record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Nanne Date 844,806 Jones Feb. 19, 1907 965,003 Pauly e July 19, 1910 1,009,557 Pauly Nov. 21, 1911 

